Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Engineering District 5 executives met today in Kutztown to announce the completion of a successful 2022 construction season that included over 100 projects worth an estimated $700 million to repair, reconstruct and improve state highways and bridges across Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties.
“From smaller paving projects to larger bridge replacement or interstate highway projects, we are focused on improving as many roads and bridges as possible,” District 5 Executive Michael W. Rebert said during a media event in Maxatawny Township, Berks County. “Our team of design, construction and maintenance employees along with our planning partners work together to ensure this region has a reliable transportation system.”
The announcement was made at the project office for the intersection improvement project at U.S. 222, Route 863 and Schantz Road. This project is currently replacing a signalized intersection with a roundabout under a $14.2 million contract.
Work in 2022 included replacing or repairing approximately 31 bridges, paving approximately 116 miles of roadways, and seal coating over 200 miles of roadways.
PennDOT District 5 has more than 60 projects currently under construction valued at more than $500 million. Several of the projects are supported and accelerated by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). In 2022 alone the BIL is bringing at least $50 million in additional funding to the District 5 region to be allocated by the department and its local Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organization (MPO/RPO) partners:
Reading Area Transportation Study will receive at least $18.4 million more; Lehigh Valley Transportation Study will receive at least $20.3 million more; and Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance will receive at least $12.1 million more.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a welcome boost that is positively impacting our regional transportation program,” Rebert added.
Some of the notable projects completed in Berks County include: Intersection improvements on Route 222 in Maidencreek Township, Berks County, $26.7 million;
Notable projects that will continue or begin in Berks County next year are:
Project to improve Interstate 78 including patching, milling, paving and bridge preservation in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties, $23.3 million.
Reconstruction of I-78 between Exit 35 and Lehigh County line in Greenwich Township, Berks County, $168.3 million.
Reconstruction and widening of I-78, including rehabilitating the bridge over the Schuylkill River and upgrading the Route 61 interchange, in Tilden Township and Hamburg Borough, Berks County, $125.6 million.
